REcreate designs

We make one-of-a-kind unique and timeless designs for the whole family madefrom upcycled jersey or wool shirts, sweaters, and suit coats. Our adult collection includes skirts, hoodies, tops, tanks, and accessories. The wee-cycle collection offers a chance for kiddos to be dressed in durable clothing with a longer closet life because of specific conscious design decisionsand includes hoodies, pants & shorts, rompers, dresses, and accessories.

We are proud to be 100% made in Montanaby people who care. We employ local folks and purchase a majority of our raw materials from area thrift and second-hand stores. We give back to the community whenever possible. As a member of 1% for the Planet,1% of our annual sales will support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability. We are excited to be giving back a little to help local organizations focused on environmental issues and our community.

REclaim, REpurpose, REcreate designs—seeing things not as they are, but for what they can become.

Meet the artist

After years of making unique gifts for friends & family, founder Carol Lynn Lapotka began producing one-of-a-kind creations for local art fairs in Wisconsin in 2005. REcreate Designs thrived and became a full-time venture after moving to Missoula, Montana. We were the first to bring the comfy and ever popular “tee skirts,” made from upcycled t-shirts to Montana local markets and area retailers. REcreate Designs now operates just north of Missoula at the foot of the Mission Mountains, and is constantly expanding its selection of trash-to-treasure products. Raw materials are sourced from thrift and second-hand outlets, reclaimed, and repurposed into all of our products—keeping an estimated 3000 lbs of waste out of the landfills every year.

THE process

Every garment we make is one-of-a-kind and made with love. We shop local second hand stores to find gently worn jersey shirts, suit coats, and sweaters. Items are washed and then sorted into which product they are destined to become. This all takes A LOT of time! Shirts are then grouped and matched, cut, and bundled to be sewn. We design all of our own patterns and take great pride in the originality of our products. Kiddo items are designed with a growing child in mind and the adult line is fashion forward and fun. Once cut, we sew everything on industrial sewing machines including our favorite Juki models (Serger | MO 6700, Straight Stitch | DDL 8500-7, and our new Coverstitch | MF7923). After being sewn, items will be finished on the snap press, steamed, and tagged. There are a lot of steps to each product and we love everyone.

Join the fun & support local art

Get the inside scoop on upcoming events, opportunities, and offers.

HANDMADE MONTANA

HandMADE Montana is a professional organization for art & handcrafted goods. We organize events (MADE fairs & workshops), provide resources to artists, and encourage growth and support in our community efforts.

Thank you for supporting your local artists and a sweat-shop free economy.

montana MADEfair

The MADE fair is a modern handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Our events are a curated collection of over 200 skilled artisans as well as a handful of non-profits.